Cheryl Armstrong Marks, a member of the Oakland Women's Rowing Club, pulls on her oar on Lake Merritt on July 31 in Oakland. The club, also known as the "Ladies of the Lake," was founded in 1916 and is the oldest women's rowing club in the United States. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Bess Vance prepares to row on Lake Merritt in Oakland. The Oakland Women's Rowing Club is comprised of women between 60 and 80 years old. They wear matching uniforms with white jackets in the summer and orange in the winter and fall. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Members of the club listen to a briefing by its president, Valerie Montes, right, before rowing onto Lake Merritt. The club rows four whale boats every Wednesday morning. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Club member Elaine Blow, center, listens to the briefing. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Rowers raise their oars as they pass another club boat on Lake Merritt. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images

Elizabeth Clark takes a sip of water during a break. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images